Page 2 - Eric Lohn News Today

The Duluth- and Wisconsin-based health care systems announced Wednesday they signed a letter of intent. Combined, they will operate 19 hospitals, 130 outpatient facilities and employ 14,000.

Duluth-based St. Luke’s plans to merge with Aspirus Health, a nonprofit health system that operates in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The new system will contain 19 hospitals, 130 outpatient locations and nearly 14,000 staff.

Hospital refusal to address sort-staffing, nurse-patient ratios, patient safety, and low pay forced more than 15,000 Minnesota nurses at 16 hospitals into what their union says is the largest private sector nurses strike in U.S. history.

Hospital refusal to address sort-staffing, nurse-patient ratios, patient safety and low pay forced more than 15,000 Minnesota nurses at 16 hospitals into what their union says is the largest private sector nurses strike in U.S. history.

The vote among 15,000 Minnesota Nurses Association members was "overwhelmingly" in favor of the strike, according to MNA.

The vote among 15,000 Minnesota Nurses Association members was "overwhelmingly" in favor of the strike, according to MNA.

The vote among 15,000 Minnesota Nurses Association members was "overwhelmingly" in favor of the strike, according to MNA.

We look forward to seeing our leaders, in person, for the “honest fact-based communication” we know they aspire to engage in.

Minnesota Nurses Association nurses state low staff levels and retention rates, which put patients at risk, inspired the vote as they continue to negotiate new contracts. Additionally, Essentia Health nurses are writing to the Benedictine Sisters on the Board of Directors, asking them to advocate for staff and patients.

The Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act will be introduced next week, and nurses in the Northland are hopeful it will keep more of their co-workers by their sides.